It is hard to understand how I can be so up one day and feel so discouraged the next. I guess the storm is raging today and I need to chart my course to calmer seas. Even with the turmoil I am feeling today, there is a center of peace inside of me I can not remember feeling for a long time if ever. Sending positive thoughts to you all that you might chart a course out of the storms you are in.

We can respond to irritation with a smile instead of scowl, or by giving warm praise instead of icy indifference. By our being understanding instead of abrupt, others, in turn, may decide to hold on a little longer rather than to give way. Love, patience, and meekness can be just as contagious as rudeness and crudeness.

How well you worded that! I wonder what else changes for you from day to day. Are you sleeping ok?? Ups and downs are normal, but it sounds like you have unexplained ups and downs. I think its Raindance that mentioned that drinking enough water even makes a difference (I'm working on that one). Thanks for the update and I'll continue to hold you up in prayer.

I went for a huge nose-dive around Christmas and I was ok as long as I didn't have to interact with anyone. . . at the point of interaction, I just became unglued . . . but that's when I was 'so smart' that I went off all my meds (in the Fall). . . I am now taking my meds like clock-work and doing WAY better.

You though, are also working through some difficult modifications in your family life, so it will be a huge effort on your part in combination with your meds. Randy, I'm so impressed by your willingness to share so openly with everyone reading this forum. Thank you.

Hi Randy, I can understand how you;re feeling as far as ups and downs..I too myself have been experiencing highs and lows. I don't know what advice I could give except that you should trust yourself and know you're feeling that way for a reason. I think our subconscious mine has a way of making it into the conscious realm and we can accept or avoid our feelings.

I can understand how you feel. My ups and downs are usually stemmed from whether I feel like anyone could care less about me or not. I know that sometimes its in my head and thats where the depression comes from but the feeling that nobody cares about you is the worst feeling in the world (at least for me). Thats where my ups and downs come from.

Hugs, dbab

"Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you."- John De Paola

As I was writing in my journal last night, I remembered that the doc is changing me from Paxil to EffexorXR. From what I have heard, coming off of Paxil is always a wild ride and so I am on that roller coaster. Thanks all for your support. May each of you find your way through your storms and calm seas.

We can respond to irritation with a smile instead of scowl, or by giving warm praise instead of icy indifference. By our being understanding instead of abrupt, others, in turn, may decide to hold on a little longer rather than to give way. Love, patience, and meekness can be just as contagious as rudeness and crudeness.